It was designed and built by the late impressionist artist Charles Rollo Peters, who painted nocturnes, moonlit views of the crumbling facades of Monterey's Spanish-era adobes.

The house he created (in the Peters Gate area) boasts many windows, filtered light and 360-degree views of sprawling gardens.

It is a house that matches the spirit and incandescence of Murray, a gardener, author, artist, public speaker and photographer. She lovingly fills the house with paintings, flowers and treasures from nature. And she thrives in the gardens.

Murray is perhaps best known for her award-winning book "Monet's Passion: Ideas, Inspiration & Insights from the Painter's Gardens." Murray spent a year working in Monet's gardens in Giverny, France, photographing and writing and following her passion. She often returns to photograph the gardens in specific seasons.

Now she has written a new book, "Living Life in Full Bloom: 120 Daily Practices to Deepen Your Passion, Creativity and Relationships." She says she worked on the book for more than four years.

"It expresses what is most meaningful to me and what I think the world needs the most," she said. "I want us all to fall in love with nature and reconnect."

She has divided the colorful book into four pathways to help guide readers through their lives: the Gardener, the Artist, the Lover and the Spirit Weaver.

Throughout, she offers 120 practices as guidelines — pared down from the 1,000 she started with.

"In some of these practices, I made a decision to speak in a more spiritual way, making me more vulnerable," she said.

"I share a lot of pain, and my hope, my wish, my prayers are not that it's just sharing pain, but more like putting my cards on the table, as a way of showing people that courage can lead to new things, good things, better things," she said. "And yet, you can also have a really great life. By no means do I declare my life package is perfect. But I chose for the positive and became really grateful and really into life."

In one section she reveals the tragedy of Gerald, her husband and soulmate. When he "was diagnosed with brain cancer, he went through a horrendous operation, had to relearn to walk and talk, endured barbaric radiation treatments, and then died just eight months into our marriage," she said.

Later, Murray went with a trusted friend on a 12-day vision quest in the desert. "I had a vivid image of Gerald's love pouring down, like liquid gold into my heart — strengthening it with a tremendous capacity for holding more love," she writes.

Murray said her 120 practices can help make your life successful.

"I don't mean to be grand," she said. "These are very humble, experienced ideas, pulling out of my heart what has the deepest meaning for me."

Here are some sample practices:

• "Invite more birds into your garden by putting up a feeder, adding a birdbath, or offering a birdhouse. Spend an hour outdoors and listen to them sing."

• "Invite a child (or the child within your soul) to explore the magic, hidden and unseen world of your garden."

• "Rise before dawn. Light a candle to guide your way outside or to a large window. Let the dawn light inspire you. Appreciate this new day as a gift like no other."

• "Today, create something beautiful. It may be a simple flower arrangement in your home, newly planted pots on your terrace, or a more welcoming entrance."

• "Go out and have some fun. ... Get out some musical instruments (like rattles, bells, drums), make some music and dance. Give yourself permission to be free and wild and unrehearsed."

• "Sit and talk with an elder, whether a family member, neighbor or someone else you know. Listen with an open heart and practice kindness and compassion."

• "If you're trying to communicate with someone, listen first. Remember what is being said. Then speak from your heart and tell the truth."

• "Every time you breathe, you begin anew — you let go what you've held onto and you take in freshness. Give yourself rest."

• "Begin a simple practice of meditation or prayer. Sit still in a comfortable place, close your eyes, take notice of your breath, and bring your thoughts into your body."

• If you've never had a mentor, find one for yourself."

Murray ends the book with a group of inspiring people who exemplify a life lived in "full bloom," and offers tips on how to create an action plan for sustaining personal health and spiritual, emotional and financial fulfillment.

If You Go

Upcoming events for Elizabeth Murray:

• Benefit for the Monterey Public Library, with luncheon, lecture and a copy of "Living Life in Full Bloom," at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the InterContinental The Clement Monterey. $100. RSVP: 646-5632 or thongchu@monterey.org.

• Talk, book-signing and reception from 2 to 4 p.m. May 4 at Museum of Monterey, 5 Custom House Plaza. Free.

• Talk, book-signing and reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 9 at the Secret Garden at Pilgrim's Way bookstore, Dolores Street and Sixth Avenue, Carmel. Free.

• Murray's book is available at Pilgrim's Way in Carmel, River House in Carmel and Luminata Books in Monterey, as well as online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and www.elizabethmurray.com.